Paradise Regain'd: A Poem, in Four Books. To which is Added Samson Agonistes ...

Sams. All these indignities, for such they are From thine, these evils I deserve and more, Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 1170 Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon Whose ear is ever open, and his eye Gracious to re-admit the suppliant; In confidence whereof I once again Defy thee to the try al of mortal fight, 117 c

By combat to decide whose God is God, Thine or whom I with Israel's sons adore.

Har. Fair honor that thou dost thy God, in trusting

He will accept thee to defend his cause, 1179

A Murderer, a Revolter, and a Robber, (me these?

Sams. Tongue-doughty Giant, how dost thou prove

Har. Is not thy nation subject to our lords? Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee As a league-breaker and deliver'd bound Into our hands: for hadst thou not committed 1185 Notorious murder on those thirty men At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, Then like a robber stripp'dst them os their robes? The Philistines, when thou hadst broke the league, Went up with armed pow'rs thee only seeking, 1190 To others did no violence nor spoil.

Sams. Among the daughters of the Philistines I chose a wife, which argued me no foe; And in your city held my nuptial feast: But your ill-meaning politician lords, ng5

Under
Under pretence of bridal friends and guests,

Appointed to await me thirty spies,

Who threatning cruel death constrain'd the bride

To wring from me and tell to them my secret,

That solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd. 1200

When I perceiv'd all set on enmity,

As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd,

I us'd hostility, and took their spoil

To pay my uhderminers in their coin.

My nation was subjected to your lords.- 1205

It was the force of conquest; force with force

Is well ejected when the conquec'd can.

Bat I a private person, whom my country

As a league-breaker gave up bound, presum'd

Single rebellion and did hostile acts. 1210

I was no private but a person rais'd

With strength sufficient and command from Heav'n

To free my country; if their servile minds

Me their deliverer sent would not receive,

But to their masters gave me up for nought, 1215

Th' unworthier they; whence to this day they serve.

I was to do my part from Heav'n assign'd,

And had perform'd it, if mine known offense

Had not disabled me, not all your force:

These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant 1220

Though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts,

Who now defies thee thrice to single fight,

As a petty enterprise of small enforce.

Har.

Har. With thee a man condemn'd, a flave enroll'd, Due by the law to capital punishment? 1225

To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. Sams. Cam'st thou for this, vainboaster, tofurvey me, To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict? Come nearer, part not hence so flight inform'd; But take good heed my hand survey not thee.

Sams. Go baffled coward, lest I run upon thee, Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, And with one busfet lay thy structure low, Or swing thee in the air, trjen dash thee down 1240 To th' hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides.

Har. By Astaroth ere long thou shalt lament These braveries in irons loaden on thee.

Chor. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fall'n, Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 1245 And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe.

Sams I dread him not, nor all his giant-brood, Though fame divulge him father of sive sons, All of gigantic size, Goliah chief.

Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear, 1250 And with malicious counsel stir them up

Some
Some way or other yet further to afflict thee.

Sams. He must allege some cause, and offer'd fight Will not dare mention, lest a question rise Whether he durst accept the'osfer or not, 1255 And that he durst not plain enough appear'd. Much more affliction than already felt They cannot well impose, nor I sustain; If they intend advantage of my labors, The work of many hands, which earns my keeping With no small profit daily to my owners. 1261 But come 'what will, my deadliest foe will prove My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence, The worst that he can give, to me the best. Yet so it may fall out, because their end 1265

Is hate, not help to me, it may with mine Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed.

Chor. Oh how comely it is, and how reviving To the spirits of just men long opprefs'd! When God into the hands of their deliverer 1270 Puts invincible might

To quell the mighty of the earth, th' oppressor, The brute and boist'rous force of violent men Hardy and industrious to support Tyrannic pow'r, but raging to pursue 1275

The righteous and all such as honor truth; He all their ammunition And feats of war defeats With plain heroic magnitude of mind

And
And celestial vigor arm'd, 1280

Their armories and magazines contemns,

Renders them useless, while

With winged expedition

Swift as the lightning glance he executes

His errand on the wicked, who furpris'd 1285

Lose their defense distracted and amaz'd. But patience is more oft the exercise